New York City

The Traveling Bar is an on-going series where cocktail bloggers, bartenders and boozy professionals pick their favorite neighborhood watering holes. The West Village in NYC is home to one of the first modern-type speakeasies we’ve all come to love drinking at. Prairie Rose takes us past the neon glow of the Psychic sign for her favorite bar this week.

Who: Prairie Rose
Website: Bit By a Fox
Bar: Employees Only
Location: West Village (New York City)

1. What do you look for in a bar?
I like bars that are comfortable (booths are a bonus!), friendly, can attract a variety of clientele and have a little sex appeal. Also, they have to make a solid drink. Even if it’s a dive bar and all I’m getting is a rye whiskey and a splash of ginger ale, I’d like a nice glass of ice and fresh lime, please!

2. Here’s the scenario: your cocktail lovin’ friend is coming to your town for ONE night. You only have time for ONE bar. Which one is it?
I think Employees Only makes a pretty nice impression. But I would insist we go early in the night to avoid any trouble getting in.

3. What makes this place so special you’d bring them here?
EO was one of the first speakeasy type bars in NYC (they just celebrated their 10 year anniversary), they have a solid craft cocktail menu and the flattering lighting and attractive employees doesn’t hurt. You’re bound to chat up your neighbor, stick around for dinner,​ work your way through the cocktail menu, and stay well past your bedtime.

4. What do you order for your friend? What do you order for yourself?
I’d let my friend order for themselves. But I’m happy to recommend something, depending on what they’re most interested in. I love an aperitif cocktail and The Provençal – Lavender-infused Plymouth Gin stirred with Herbs de Provence-infused French Vermouth & Cointreau is a delightful one. And a safe bet is the crowd-pleasing Amelía – Aylesbury Duck Vodka & St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur shaken with puréed Blackberries & Fresh Lemon Juice.

5. Does the bar have food? If not, where would you go for a bite?
They DO have food and it’s good! The food menu has an old-world gentleman’s club steakhouse vibe to it. Oysters, caviar and lamb chops are on the menu – a good base for all those Manhattans you’ll be imbibing!

 

*Photos courtesy of Prairie Rose.

More Traveling Bar Posts found here!

Today we’re headed off to NYC where we’re doing a double header with Emily from Gastronomista. Two bars in one night sounds just about right when one visits the Big Apple (is it still called that?). ~ Elana

Who: Emily Arden Wells
Website: Gastronomista
Bar(s): The Daily, Amor y Amargo
Where: New York City

1. What do you look for in a bar?
Fantastic cocktails, welcoming hosts/hostesses, and a comfortable and well designed aesthetic. A great bar needs to have a feeling of novelty, yet must be as comfortable as your living room.

2. Here’s the scenario: your cocktail lovin’ friend is coming to your town for ONE night. You only have time for ONE bar. Which one is it?
Oh man, I can’t pick just one. My two favorite NYC bars are The Daily and Amor y Amargo. I’d do a double header on a Friday so I could see my favorite bartenders in the city.

3. What makes this place so special you’d bring them here?
Great bartenders and even better cocktails! These are two bars that are making fantastic cocktails and do it in an approachable and fun way.

Nacho Jimenez and Masa Urushido of The Daily offer a daily selection of 5-6 fantastic cocktails. I always love their choices, and am continuously impressed by the creativity of the cocktails they create. Friday nights these two old time buddies are behind the stick – it is always a good time.

Sother Teague is at Amor Amargo on Fridays and he makes amazingly complex amaro and vermouth cocktails. They have an intense cocktail list with a lot of spirits most people haven’t heard of, but they are really friendly and explain their cocktails to those who inquire. Every visit is an education.

4. What do you order for your friend? What do you order for yourself?
BFF:
Some drinking buddies are more adventurous than others, so I generally let people pick their own poison. I do try to encourage them to get something interesting so I can enjoy a sip too!

Myself:
The Daily: Whatever Negroni variation is on the board.
Amor y Amargo: Dealer’s Choice.

5. Does the bar have food? If not, where would you go for a bite?
The Daily: The Chick Pea Fries and the Veggie Plate with Charred Baba Ganoush. TDF.

Amor y Amargo: Deviled Eggs with cauliflower puree and Trout Roe.

 

Photos courtesy of Samir Osman, Melissa Horn and Amor y Amargo.

More Traveling Bar Posts found here!